About Us

The Rick Hansen Institute is a Canadian-based not-for-profit organization that drives innovation in spinal cord injury research and care. We strive to improve the lives of people living with SCI in Canada and around the world.

We are committed to accelerating the translation of discoveries and best practices into improved treatments for people with spinal cord injuries.

Headquartered in Vancouver, BC, we facilitate an international network of researchers, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, people with SCI and their supporters in order to find solutions to one of the most debilitating, costly and life-altering health conditions.

Our vision is a world without paralysis after SCI. To achieve this, we takea multi-disciplinary, adaptable approach to maximize our impact. This enables usto move the most promising ideas out of the laboratory, into a standard practice ofcare, into the marketplace and ultimately, into the lives of people with SCI.By working to address all of these areas simultaneously, and with national andinternational partners within the SCI community and beyond, the Institute isuniquely positioned to provide solutions for people with spinal cord injury.

We are funded by the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification Canada, Rick Hansen Foundation and the Governments of British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario.

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Board and Committees

The Rick Hansen Institute was established by the Rick Hansen Foundation as a direct result of Rick's vision to unite the SCI research and care communities together. The Institute and the Foundation act as separate entities, but RHI exists today because of Rick's leadership, tenacity and his unparalleled ability to achieve "the impossible." It is his vision that continues to motivate all those working together to reduce the impact of SCI and improve the quality of health of those living with a SCI.